After a rebuilding season in 2023, the Kent State football team will look to earn its first win against a Division I opponent in the coach Kenni Burns “Kent GRIT” era.
This February, Burns earned a one-year extension through 2028, but he holds a 1-11 overall record as KSU’s coach. His only win is against Division II Central Connecticut State University.
“I am excited to be back in the mode of game week,” Burns said. “Our guys worked extremely hard. I am so proud of them and the work they put in, from the winter to the summer. We just got bigger, faster, stronger and we have more of a connected team.”
Burns’ first challenge in the season will be against Pittsburgh University Saturday. Pitt had a below-.500 campaign last season, as the team went 3-9 overall including a 1-5 stretch to end the season.
The Panthers, however, are undefeated all-time against Kent State, as the Panthers have a 7-0 record against the Flashes.
“They are a really good football program,” Burns said. “In five of the last six years, they’ve been in bowl games. [Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi] has a program that is built on toughness, discipline, and there is no doubt in my mind we are going to see a good football team come Saturday, and we have to be prepared for that.”
The KSU offense will need a quick turnaround from last season. The Flashes were ranked last out of 130 teams in scoring offense and were 120th or worse in other offensive categories, such as offensive yards per game, passing yards per game, rushing yards per game and total touchdowns scored.
Quarterback
The leader of the offense will be redshirt sophomore Devin Kargman, who won the starting job in offseason camp. His backup will be junior Tommy Ulatowski.
“Devin allows us to do a little bit more from an offensive standpoint than Tommy does right now,” Burns said. “It doesn’t mean we won’t utilize Tommy. He’ll come in and play as well.”
Kargman did not pick up a win in his three starts last season. He threw two touchdowns, no interceptions and 297 yards on 21/40 passing in those games.
Running Back
Junior running back Gavin Garcia will be out for the season due to a knee injury, so the first man up in the backfield will be redshirt senior Ky Thomas.
Last season, Garcia appeared in 11 games, rushing for 544 yards on 138 attempts (3.9 yards per carry) and scoring twice – he was tied for the most touchdowns on the team last season.
Thomas will play for his third team in as many years, as he spent time at the University of Minnesota and the University of Kansas before transferring to KSU. With Kansas, Thomas ran the ball 43 times for 151 yards and one touchdown.
“We still have Ky Thomas who is a more-than-capable (running) back,” Burns said. “He played a lot in the Big 10 and the Big 12. He was going to play a big role this year anyway.”
Receivers
Kargman’s main receiver will be redshirt sophomore Chrishon McCray, who led the team with 610 yards on 42 receptions. The effort led to McCray being a preseason First Team All-Mid-American Conference selection.
McCray will be complemented by graduate student Luke Floriea who caught 39 balls for 405 yards.
Offensive line
The offensive line for the Flashes was a question mark for Burns and his staff last season, as the team played five freshmen on the line and allowed the second-most sacks in the MAC with 39.
“We definitely have more depth than we had last year,” Burns said. “We have guys that have played together for a while. We’re still trying to find out who the top five guys are – we have competition.”
Some highlights of the line for Burns going into the season are graduate student tackle Cam Golden and freshman center Elijah Williams, who will start in the middle of the line for KSU.
“I think the guy set in stone is a guy like Cam Golden,” Burns said. “He’s played a lot of football, he has the respect of his team, he’s stronger, he’s playing more physically, he’s playing confident and that is exciting for Cam.”
Defensive line
One of the most productive defensive players for Kent State last season will be on a different team this season.
CJ West transferred out of Kent State to play Big 10 football at the University of Indiana but posted 40 tackles, two sacks and forced one fumble in his final season with the Flashes.
Manning the middle of the defensive line will be sophomore Kaden Beatty and junior Oliver Bilotte, who will attempt to make their presence known without West on the line.
Beatty has not yet appeared on the field for the Flashes, but Bilotte made 30 tackles with two tackles for loss, one sack and one pass deflection in 12 games last season.
Linebackers
Senior CJ Harris will be missed in the middle of the KSU defense, as the transfer, who went to Louisiana Tech after last season, tallied 33 tackles, one pass break up and two sacks.
His absence means KSU will turn to graduate student Khalib Johns to lead the defense.
“Our linebackers had a really good fall camp,” Burns said. “We have a lot of depth. We have a lot of good players there. I am excited about that group – they were a big reason why we could not get the run game going at times in fall camp because they were very disruptive.”
Johns totaled 18 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass break up in five games last season.
Cornerbacks and Safeties
The top safety for the Flashes this season is senior Alex Branch, who recorded 34 tackles last season with 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. Branch also forced a fumble and deflected three passes last season in 11 games.
“You’re going to see Alex Branch back there,” Burns said “There is great competition. The thing I love about (the secondaries) group is that you’re not stuck in a position where you do not have enough talent.”
Near the sidelines, the No.1 cornerback on the depth chart is San Diego State University transfer Dallas Branch. He played in three games for the Aztecs last season and deflected one pass while recording seven tackles in limited playing time.
Special teams
Returning to kick for the Flashes will be senior kicker Andrew Glass.
In 12 games last season, the righty went 15/17 on his field goal attempts. Glass is second all-time in the KSU program for made field goals with 53, and he is looking to become the third Kent State kicker to make 100 or more extra points – he sits at 97 before the start of the season.
“The expectation is to be really good there,” Burns said. “We have experienced guys. They have to be on point when it is game time. They’ve done a good job in fall camp kicking the ball and putting us in advantageous situations. Our wins and losses will come down to special teams.”
Looking ahead
Both the Flashes and the Panthers are looking to bounce back after each team won less than four games last season.
KSU is looking for its first Power-5 victory since 2007, which happened in the season opener on the road, as well.
Kickoff is set for noon Saturday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
Kent State will have many new faces on the field this season, but with returning players, KSU is gearing up for an improved season this time around.
“I am excited about the growth of our football team,” Burns said. “It does not guarantee anything, but it gives you a chance. Going into week one with that growth, I am excited about the potential of what this team can become.
“I will tell everybody to sit back and get ready to rock and roll and enjoy the next 12 or 13 weeks of college football.”
John Hilber is sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].
Demetri Manousos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
